THE OTHER NETWORK WRITER'S ROOM
INSIDE THE ART, CRAFT AND BUSINESS OF WRITING for Film, TV, Books, Stage, Print or Digital Media (with Particular Attention to Comedy)
“How To Be A Writer Who Writes” – Strategies and Tactics to Start and Finish Your Book or Script!
“YOU WANNA WRITE? READ THIS” – Marc Weingarten (author of “The Gang That Wouldn’t Write Straight”) “INFINITELY PRACTICAL” – Terri Jentz (author of “Strange Piece of Paradise”) “WITTY, WISE AND … Continue reading
(Almost Everything You Need to Know About) Writing for TV
Bless the Writers Guild of America – and not just for their awesome health plan (which includes dental coverage!). There’s lots of great info on their website, including this set … Continue reading
Just Say No: A Simple One-Word Key to Productivity
Thanks to Blogger Kevin Ashton for his inspiring post justifying my lack of inspirational posting this month – I’ve been busy writing! – and his post about why creative people … Continue reading
Space Talk: What Astronauts Can Teach You About Writing Dialog
Thanks to 101books for this funny post on what the astronauts can teach us about writing dialog. 101 Books doesn’t specify, but I’d say this excellent snippet of dialog can … Continue reading
“This One Will Write Itself” – and 5 Other Lies We Tell Ourselves to Keep Writing
What’s wrong with a little well-placed denial? If we really let ourselves embrace and admit how much work it takes to write a script or book, very few of them … Continue reading
Why I Love Index Cards as a Writing Tool (Pt. 2): Full-Color Edition
Writing doesn’t always look like ‘writing’. For the last 2-3 weeks, my work on the current screenplay has consisted of staring at a wall of index cards (in photo at … Continue reading
4 Stars from the San Francisco Book Review for “How To Be A Writer Who Writes”
“Excellent advice… tips that would help any writer.” **** San Francisco Book Review Do you have a novel in you just waiting to come out? Or a screenplay, or a … Continue reading
How To Pitch a Reality TV Show (According to a Reality TV Producer)
I don’t have any direct experience with the TV Writers Vault (anyone?), so I’m not endorsing the site or service, but I thought this conversation was interesting in terms of … Continue reading
Happiness is a Warm Desk: How Your Work Area Affects Your Productivity
Some writers put way too much attention into their working environment – and then don’t actually get much work done. Many others (like me) pay barely any attention at all … Continue reading
Review: Spartacus, War of the Damned (Damned Entertaining!)
I love “Spartacus” so much I don’t know where to startacus! ADVISORY: If you object to dirty words or thoughts, or have qualms about cartoonish ultra-violence, this isn’t for you. … Continue reading
How To Get Feedback on Your Draft
“Don’t pay any attention to the critics—don’t even ignore them.” — Samuel Goldwyn 1. Get feedback BEFORE re-reading your draft (if you can possibly wait) 2. Ask for the kind of feedback you … Continue reading
When to Stop Rewriting (Pt. 1): Don’t Be a Chicken
If you can’t tell whether a scene is better before or after that 4th rewrite, stop. Like a doctor who takes the Hippocratic Oath, rewriters should “first do no harm”. … Continue reading
So You Have An Idea For a TV Show? What Does It Take To Actually Sell It?
The actual pitch for an original TV series is usually pretty short – like 10 minutes (See my previous post on pitching a TV series), but you have to do … Continue reading
